Can Ministers Park Anywhere? Mark Consuelos Says So, But…

Ever wanted to park anywhere, anytime? Mark Consuelos says he's found the answer… a clergy parking pass. Here’s what to know! 

 

If there was one unexpected takeaway from Rebel Wilson’s interview on "Live with Kelly and Mark" last week, it’s that Mark Consuelos has a clergy pass that lets him park anywhere. Surely this is too good to be true… right? 

 

During the conversation about Wilson’s wedding to Ramona Agruma, which was officiated by her sister Liberty in Australia, Consuelos mentioned that he and Kelly Ripa were both ordained online as ministers to perform weddings too. 

 

“You know what you do get?” Consuelos said, “I got a clergy pass – a parking pass for my car,” adding that he “can park anywhere” as a member of the clergy. 

 

(Who’s the real rebel in this interview, Mark?  Watch the full clip on "Live with Kelly and Mark: Rebel Wilson Talks About Her Disney Engagement and Being the Mom of a Two-Year-Old")

 

Do ministers get free parking? No, not outside of designated areas. But daytime soap opera stars might!  Keep reading to learn more about what a minister parking permit can (and can't) do for you!  (Above: Two screenshots from the excellent chat between Rebel Wilson, Kelly Ripa, and Mark Consuelos last week, on the set of NBC's Live with Kelly and Mark)

 

 

Now, as a team of ordained ministers ourselves, the folks here at American Marriage Ministries were very curious about this (potentially exaggerated) claim. After all, clergy in Seattle – where AMM is located – can’t just park anywhere we want to, with or without a pass. 

 

His claim raised a few questions for fans: 

 

One, is Mark Consuelos really parking wherever he wants? Two, what is a clergy parking pass, exactly? Three, what privileges does a pass get you? And four, where do you get one?

 

Now, we can’t answer that first question – the parking habits of soap opera royalty aren’t any of our business. But we can definitely tackle the last few. Let’s take a look! 

 

 

1. What is a Clergy Parking Permit?

 

A clergy parking permit is a special permit available to clergy members and religious leaders, which gives them permission to park in designated areas while performing their ministerial duties – usually adjacent to hospitals, funeral homes, and houses of worship, where their services are commonly needed. 

 

A clergy parking pass might also be called a minister parking permit, clergy parking placard, clergy parking pass, clergy parking sticker (or decal), or a church parking tag. It is often displayed on a vehicle’s dashboard or suspended from the rearview mirror, similar to the way drivers display a handicap parking badge.  

 

 

2. Can you really park anywhere with a Clergy Parking Permit? 

 

What does a minister parking pass do for you? According to Mark Consuelos, his clergy parking placard is a ticket to park anywhere he wants to! But this is probably just a zany joke meant to delight the daytime TV crowd.

 

So, where can you park if you have a clergy or minister parking permit?

 

In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question: every city has its own distinct rules for clergy parking in public areas; and privately owned parking lots also make their own rules. In general, a clergy pass allows a clergy member to park in designated areas outside special facilities – such as hospitals, funeral homes, houses of worship, and prisons – for a set amount of time when they are performing ministerial duties inside. 

 

For example, in New York City, where Mark Consuelos lives, a city-issued clergy parking placard allows parking for up to 5 hours in a ‘No Parking Zone’ adjacent to a house of worship; 4 hours next to a funeral home; or up to 3 hours adjacent to a hospital. It doesn't specify nonreligious wedding venues, and it doesn’t allow clergy to park in areas where stopping or standing are prohibited.

 

As far as we know, there are no locations in the US that currently allow clergy to park anywhere they wish. You probably can’t use a clergy pass to park in staff parking at a university, for example, or in a handicap spot, or when pulling up to the curb for a quick stop at the grocery store. And it’s very unlikely that a clergy pass will stop you from getting a ticket if you don’t pay for metered parking. 

 

Long story short? No, a Clergy Parking Pass doesn’t allow you to park anywhere you want, but it can come with a few work-related parking perks.

 

 

3. How to get a Clergy Parking Permit?

 

There are a few ways to obtain a legal clergy parking pass, depending on where you live and travel: 

 

Church parking tags and special permits for private parking lots are generally issued by the institution. For example, a hospital or house of worship may provide staff and visiting clergy members with a special parking permit or placard to place in their car while they’re working. 

 

Some cities and towns issue official clergy parking permits, and the process can sometimes be strict. For example, in New York City, a house of worship can apply for an NYC annual clergy parking pass for up to 3 clergy members, as long as the house of worship is physically located in one of the 5 boroughs and can provide documentation including a certificate of occupancy, proof of hours worked, insurance paperwork, lease information, and more. 

 

Some online churches also sell clergy parking passes, such as the ULC Minister Parking Placard. However, these types of passes may not be recognized by a facility, and don’t guarantee that you won’t be ticketed if you park in a reserved area on a private lot. These types of placards often don’t apply in public parking areas, no parking zones, or city parking lots either, and it’s strongly recommended that you follow all standard parking regulations.

 

And of course, it’s possible to buy or make a counterfeit clergy parking pass without being a member of the clergy, but we wouldn’t recommend it. There are often steep fines and penalties for being caught using a counterfeit parking permit. For example, in NYC, the penalty for placard abuse (parking illegally using a counterfeit placard) can be up to $500, and fees average around $65 per offense (via New York City Public Advocate Press Room & Hell Gate NYC) 

 

Why not show your clergy pride with a bumper sticker or AMM minister sticker for your laptop or officiant binder instead?

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/store/products/amm-stickers", "ORDER AN AMM MINISTER STICKER" *|

(Above: AMM Minister stickers! In stock in our store now.)

 

 

Order an AMM Minister Identification Card or Clergy Badge to use on the go! 

 

An AMM minister ID card or clergy badge goes anywhere you go, and quickly identifies you as an ordained member of the clergy! 

 

The AMM minister identification wallet card is available in two options: one option comes with the AMM emblem, and one includes your personal photo. Both cards include valuable information about your role – whether you’re serving as wedding officiant, funeral officiant, or in another ministerial role –  including your AMM minister ID number. This information is often required when signing in at a front desk or completing a marriage license. 

 

An AMM Clergy Badge can be worn on a lanyard or pinned to your lapel to quickly identify you at public events.

 

We’re sorry these IDs won’t let you park in a loading-only zone… but it does give you credibility as an ordained AMM minister. And that can help take you anywhere you want to go! 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/store#credentials", "ORDER YOUR MINISTER ID NOW!" *|

Three minister ID cards & clergy badge available from AMM (see photos below): 

 

(From top: AMM Minister Wallet ID without photo, Photo Minister Wallet ID, and AMM Clergy Badge)

 

 

---

 

More Tips & Products for Ministers: 

 

• Minister ID Cards - What they’re used for, Where to get one, and Why you might need one
   
• Is the American Marriage Ministries Minister Ordination Package Worth the Price?
   
• 5 Must Read Blogs for Wedding Officiants
   
• A Simple & Elegant Wedding Officiant Script Holder
   

---